On Thursday, at a function celebrating the Indian Air Force's (IAF) 83rd anniversary, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha made a crucial announcement: the IAF is now planning to induct women as fighter pilots.

Speaking at the event that was held at the Hindon Air Force Base, Ghaziabad, Raha said, "We have women pilots flying transport aircrafts and helicopters. We are now planning to induct them into the fighter stream to meet the aspiration of young women of India."

But earlier, in March 2014, ACM Raha had still some issues with employing women in the IAF.

"As far as flying fighter planes is concerned, it's a very challenging job. Women are by nature not physically suited for flying fighters for long hours, especially when they are pregnant or have other health problems,'' ACM Raha said, according to a report in The Times of India.

Even the Former Defense Minister AK Antony had said, "As a society, we are not ready for our women in combat roles. What if they are taken as PoWs (prisoner of war)?"